Posted by JahL on March 28, 2001, at 17:25:15
In reply to Re: individual v. group therapy for social anxiety?, posted by sar on March 28, 2001, at 13:53:43
> > My other thought on this is the idea of self-fulfilling prophecy. You go to these groups and everyone knows what yr problem is...I feel as if I wouldn't be able to act naturally that way, you know?This was my experience.
> > My own social phobia is moderate but very internalized; I think I can often behave very calmly in social situations, I don't studder or blush or mumble or anything...I deal with the pounding heart, the ugly thoughts, the claustrophobic feeling.
Same!
> > What do they do in these groups specifically, does anyone know?
Essentially the group attempts to challenge the rationality of yr socially phobic thoughts but in practice it amounts to little more than awkward attempts to boost your self-confidence (which you are automatically perceived as lacking. *I* am a v. confident individual; I just happen to suffer from s. phobia.)
> > Jah, may I ask how old you are? I'm 23 and have hoped for a long time that I'd grow out of this childish shyness into more adult-like confidence...and I really have gotten better w/ age (tho by no means "cured")...I'm just wondering at what age you decided to go the medicinal route.
Mid twenties. It's become progressively worse, in terms of core symptoms, since I was a kid. This despite the marked onset of the 'adult-like confidence' you describe.
When Paxil & then Prozac briefly lifted all symptoms-& gave a glimpse of the real, super-confident me-I was converted. Sulpiride's subsequent consistent control of symptoms was proof enough that this was a biological problem that all the yakking in the world wouldn't fix. It's like appealing to a diabetic's pancreas to produce more insulin! (IMO)
Everything I've read about s. phobia points to it being a chronic, life-long condition which can cause significant social & occupational impairment in sufferers.
J.
poster:JahL
thread:5263
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010324/msgs/5322.html